Domaine Bousquet, Gaia Cabernet Franc 2018, Gualtallary Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina

Tasting Note: Concentrated, inky cabernet franc done in an attractive new world style.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of black plum, blackberry, blueberry, hibiscus, cranberry and blossom with hints of cedar.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied cabernet franc has medium-plus-intensity, black-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by slightly-grippy, ripe, medium-plus tannin and completing with a medium-plus finish.

There is complexity from the mid-to-back palate and a pleasing finish with the slightest hint of baking spice.

A cab franc that could tackle a steak.

Bottle Note: Gaia, the Green goddess of the earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding our winery in 1997 when we pioneered and cleared virgin land in the high reached of Tupungato’s Gualtallary district. From the start, our Gaia wines have been crafted with a French winemaking sensibility and made from organic fruit grown at a cool 1,200m/4,000ft altitude. Brilliant sunshine and huge shifts in day-to-night temperatures combine to create a perfect marriage of Old and New World characteristics. Gaia cabernet franc is made from our best, hand-harvested fruit. This food-friendly wine offers ripe tannins with vibrantly fresh red berry fruit.

This wine was submitted for review.